Mum-of-three dies from cancer just four months after tragic being misdiagnosed

A heartbreaking tragedy unfolded as a mother of three, Laura Barlow, passed away just four months after being misdiagnosed with endometriosis, which was later discovered to be cancer. Laura, who had recently tied the knot with her husband Michael, first noticed blood in her stool at the end of October, sparking concerns about her health. Despite her medical background working in a hospital, Laura faced difficulties in obtaining an in-person appointment, and initially, she was informed over the phone that it was likely endometriosis. As her condition deteriorated by December, Laura visited an urgent care centre for relief, receiving morphine but being told that her GP was already managing her case. It wasn’t until January that Laura finally underwent an ultrasound and CT scan, which revealed lesions on her liver, prompting further investigations. As her health continued to decline, Laura received the devastating news of cancer during a hospital visit with her sister. Her husband, Michael, recalled the heart-wrenching moment when they were informed of the diagnosis without details of the specific cancer type. Following the diagnosis, Laura was moved to a cancer ward where doctors later revealed that the cancer was terminal, advising the family to make the most of the time they had left with her. Despite planning a short break at Centre Parcs to create lasting memories, their time was cut short as Laura’s health deteriorated rapidly upon their return. Just days after returning, Laura’s condition worsened, eventually leading to her passing on February 5th, shortly after being told she had limited time left. Michael expressed his grief over the loss, emphasising the injustice of the situation and his frustration with what he perceived as a failure on the part of the NHS to provide timely and accurate care. He highlighted the importance of his petition, aimed at securing an apology and preventing others from experiencing similar struggles with misdiagnosis. The petition has garnered over 8,300 signatures and requires 10,000 to be presented to the government, hoping to initiate positive change in healthcare practices to avoid similar tragedies in the future.